On Tuesday, Australia opted out of bidding for the 2034 football World Cup, solidifying Saudi Arabia’s prime position as the potential host for the event.
Football Australia withdrew its bid by the October 31 deadline after the Asian Football Confederation backed Saudi Arabia, paving the way for their emergence as the top contender.
In a statement, Football Australia expressed, “After evaluating the opportunity to bid for the FIFA World Cup and considering all aspects, we have decided not to pursue hosting the 2034 competition.”
FIFA, the global football governing body, opened the invitation for bids from the Asia and Oceania regions after naming Morocco, Spain, and Portugal as joint hosts for the 2030 World Cup.
Australia and New Zealand jointly hosted the Women’s World Cup this year and it was generally regarded as a success.
Saudi Arabia’s ambition to host the 2034 men’s World Cup is the latest step in a campaign to turn the kingdom into a global sports powerhouse.
